Mindfulness and Perceptions of Undergraduate Healthcare Students Toward War-Affected Refugee Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

Bahise Aydın; Kardelen Sancar; Kader Arslan; Havvanur Kerim

doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1825337

Mindfulness and Perceptions of Undergraduate Healthcare Students Toward War-Affected Refugee Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the relationship between mindfulness levels and perceptions of war-affected children among undergraduate healthcare students. Methods: A cross-sectional and correlational design was conducted with 330 undergraduate healthcare students (nursing, midwifery, emergency and disaster management) between April and August 2024 at a health sciences faculty of a state university, Türkiye. Data were collected via the “Sociodemographic and Perceptions Toward War-Affected Children Questionnaire” and the “Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS)”. Number, percentage, mean±standard deviation was used to analyze descriptive data; independent samples t tests and one-way ANOVA for comparative statistics; Pearson correlation analysis for correlational statistics. Results: The students’ mean mindfulness score was 57.05±11.938. Of the students, 54.2% reported positive perceptions of war-affected individuals, 81.2% believed that war-affected children could be reintegrated into society, and 55.8% stated that they had limited access to healthcare. A statistically significant positive relationship was found between the academic grade point average and mindfulness (p<0.05). Students with more positive perceptions of war-affected individuals were more likely to perceive war as having negative impacts on their children. Conclusion: Students demonstrated insufficient levels of mindfulness and limited perceptions regarding war-affected children. It is recommended that health sciences curricula include more content and structured educational initiatives focused on the needs of disadvantaged populations—particularly war-affected children—to increase students’ awareness and professional readiness in providing equitable and compassionate healthcare services.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

TÜBİTAK

Project Number

TÜBİTAK 2209 A - Project ID: 1919B012336202

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Graduate Education Institute of a State University (19.04.2024; E-84026528-050.99-2400103513).

Thanks

We would like to express our gratitude to the esteemed Prof. Dr. Murat Bektaş for his valuable guidance in the statistical analyses of this study.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Pediatric Health and Illnesses Nursing

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Bahise Aydın ^*
0000-0001-9815-2843
Türkiye

Kardelen Sancar
0009-0006-0551-2162
Türkiye

Kader Arslan
0009-0001-5131-6182
Türkiye

Havvanur Kerim
0009-0001-1538-0531
Türkiye

Publication Date

March 5, 2026

Submission Date

November 17, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 21, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 17 Number: January, February, March 2026

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1825337

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA47AR35UF

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

EndNote

Aydın B, Sancar K, Arslan K, Kerim H (March 1, 2026) Mindfulness and Perceptions of Undergraduate Healthcare Students Toward War-Affected Refugee Children: A Cross-Sectional Study. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17 January, February, March 2026